This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-47695509
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Wheelchair user refused nightclub entry as music 'too rowdy' | Wheelchair user refused nightclub entry as music 'too rowdy' |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A wheelchair user said she was refused entry to a nightclub by a bouncer who said the music was "too rowdy" for her. | A wheelchair user said she was refused entry to a nightclub by a bouncer who said the music was "too rowdy" for her. |
Lucy Webster, 24, a BBC journalist, tried to get into Aquum - a wheelchair-accessible club in south-west London - on Saturday night. | Lucy Webster, 24, a BBC journalist, tried to get into Aquum - a wheelchair-accessible club in south-west London - on Saturday night. |
After first being told by door staff that it was not safe, she was then told that the music was not suitable. | After first being told by door staff that it was not safe, she was then told that the music was not suitable. |
Aquum said it "deeply apologises" for what would seem to be an "error of judgement" by third-party contractors. | Aquum said it "deeply apologises" for what would seem to be an "error of judgement" by third-party contractors. |
Lucy was in a bar with two friends - one who is her carer - in Clapham when they decided to continue on to a nightclub. | Lucy was in a bar with two friends - one who is her carer - in Clapham when they decided to continue on to a nightclub. |
She said a quick internet search told her that nearby Aquum was wheelchair-accessible. | She said a quick internet search told her that nearby Aquum was wheelchair-accessible. |
The club was busy when they arrived at around 01:30 GMT on Sunday morning and there was a small queue. | The club was busy when they arrived at around 01:30 GMT on Sunday morning and there was a small queue. |
But door staff were letting in a steady stream of people, she said, until her group was stopped and taken aside. | But door staff were letting in a steady stream of people, she said, until her group was stopped and taken aside. |
'Accessible but not safe' | 'Accessible but not safe' |
"This is where it starts to get odd," she said. | "This is where it starts to get odd," she said. |
"The bouncer informs me that the physical access is fine, but the club is busy and he just wants to 'keep me safe'. 'I'm used to busy,' I say, 'I live in London. And anyway, I can look after myself'." | "The bouncer informs me that the physical access is fine, but the club is busy and he just wants to 'keep me safe'. 'I'm used to busy,' I say, 'I live in London. And anyway, I can look after myself'." |
She said a doorwoman then came over "to tell me the music was 'too rowdy' for me - as if, as a disabled woman, I can only listen to girly pop and, presumably, very sad songs." | She said a doorwoman then came over "to tell me the music was 'too rowdy' for me - as if, as a disabled woman, I can only listen to girly pop and, presumably, very sad songs." |
Lucy, who has cerebral palsy, responded by saying that was discrimination. | Lucy, who has cerebral palsy, responded by saying that was discrimination. |
She was told it wasn't, because wheelchair users were often let into the club. | She was told it wasn't, because wheelchair users were often let into the club. |
A heated discussion followed, which Lucy says included the door staff suggesting that she could go inside by herself to see that the club was unsuitable - despite earlier being told it was unsafe for her to go in. | A heated discussion followed, which Lucy says included the door staff suggesting that she could go inside by herself to see that the club was unsuitable - despite earlier being told it was unsafe for her to go in. |
She said her friends were getting angry but she decided it was better just to walk away. | She said her friends were getting angry but she decided it was better just to walk away. |
"I just wanted to get out of there", she said, and they headed to a takeaway because "sometimes you just give up and get chicken". | "I just wanted to get out of there", she said, and they headed to a takeaway because "sometimes you just give up and get chicken". |
"I ended up feeling pretty sad," she said. "You feel like you don't belong in that environment - even though you know that you do. | "I ended up feeling pretty sad," she said. "You feel like you don't belong in that environment - even though you know that you do. |
"It hasn't put me off because I'm stubborn, but it could put off others. | "It hasn't put me off because I'm stubborn, but it could put off others. |
"Finding somewhere accessible on a night out is hard enough to start with - you're very limited where you can go. Even in London, it is genuinely hard to find somewhere to go." | "Finding somewhere accessible on a night out is hard enough to start with - you're very limited where you can go. Even in London, it is genuinely hard to find somewhere to go." |
Club promises action | Club promises action |
Managing director of Aquum, Terry Georgiou, said: "I need to investigate this unfortunate incident further to ascertain all the facts, but it would seem that one of our third-party contractors has made an error of judgement on the evening in question for which I deeply apologise. | Managing director of Aquum, Terry Georgiou, said: "I need to investigate this unfortunate incident further to ascertain all the facts, but it would seem that one of our third-party contractors has made an error of judgement on the evening in question for which I deeply apologise. |
"I will be calling a meeting with our third-party supplier and appropriate action will be taken." | "I will be calling a meeting with our third-party supplier and appropriate action will be taken." |
He added: "It was not our intention to cause any upset although I can see that it has... We will endeavour to ensure that such an incident never happens again." | He added: "It was not our intention to cause any upset although I can see that it has... We will endeavour to ensure that such an incident never happens again." |
He said Aquum was deliberately designed to be an inclusive venue and he had organised for his staff to have further training. | He said Aquum was deliberately designed to be an inclusive venue and he had organised for his staff to have further training. |
Lucy said: "I'm glad Aquum apologised and that they are retraining their staff. I don't think my friends and I will be going back but I hope other wheelchair users have better experiences in future." | Lucy said: "I'm glad Aquum apologised and that they are retraining their staff. I don't think my friends and I will be going back but I hope other wheelchair users have better experiences in future." |
Ceri Smith, campaigns manager at disability equality charity Scope, said businesses needed to work harder to prevent situations like this from happening. | Ceri Smith, campaigns manager at disability equality charity Scope, said businesses needed to work harder to prevent situations like this from happening. |
"Disabled people deserve to be seen as more than their impairment or condition and should be able to enjoy a night out clubbing without encountering this type of bizarre and discriminatory behaviour. | "Disabled people deserve to be seen as more than their impairment or condition and should be able to enjoy a night out clubbing without encountering this type of bizarre and discriminatory behaviour. |
"All too often disabled people tell us they face unfair accusations of being too drunk, or that their very presence makes them a fire hazard." | "All too often disabled people tell us they face unfair accusations of being too drunk, or that their very presence makes them a fire hazard." |
Have you had a similar experience? Tell us by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk | |
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: | |
Or use the form below: |
Previous version
1
Next version